5 November 2021
*Friday of Trinity 22*
Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
This Sunday is
*The Feast of All Saints *(observed)
Revelation 7:2–17; 1 John 3:1–3; St. Matthew 5:1–12
*Saints Are Blessed in the Eternal Presence of Christ *
“A great multitude from all tribes and peoples and languages,” cry out “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne” (Rev. 7:9–17). Faith-filled saints from every place and time with unified voices eternally magnify the Lamb of God. As His beloved children, we too, “shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1–3). Joined with the throng of angels and a myriad of saints, we shall “serve him day and night in his temple” (Rev. 7:9–17). In our earthly tension vacillating between saint and sinner, faith and doubt, sacred and profane, we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits, and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ propels us forward, fortifying us in Word and Sacrament, to our eternal home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, we need to be blessed. And so we are. The poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure, and the persecuted are all blessed and we will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:1–12).
*COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED*
Lutheran congregations traditionally observe the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed annually on November 1, or the first Sunday in November. As we rejoice in the fellowship of all the saints—both living and dead—we especially remember those from these congregations who have died in the faith this past year. Each name is read aloud during the prayers of the church and the organ chimes, offering a moment of silence between each. This allows us to remember with joyful expectation the resurrection promised to our loved ones and to all of us in Christ Jesus our Lord. *This year we have 12 names that will be listed—6 from each congregation.*
*In Bible Study* this week we’ll look at what it means to be a saint: how, why it matters, at how we remember them.
*Don’t forget: It’s Joint Parish Sunday!* Bible study is at 9:30am at Grace, Service is at 11am, and a pot-luck meal follows. Please bring a dish to share! Also, it’s daylight savings—we “fall back” and get an extra hour of sleep (or whatever we stay up so late doing…).
*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Trinity** Grace*
*Counters: The Wortzes Counters: Tom & Sandy*
*Greeter: Minda Shultz Greeters: The Kennys*
*Ushers: Dave Ketteman & Ushers: Jim & Sandy*
* Ron Rooker Altar Guild: The Nickels*
*Altar Guild: The Wortzes *
*Elder: **Keith Buhr*
*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/130058d3-0cd2-e7db-7ff6-fdcd5f252b1c/2021_11_07_Feast_of_All_Saints_Joint_Parish.pdf>. Meditate on the readings, pray the prayers, and consider what gifts our Lord has for us this week. Also, here are the news/notes <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/d98ca201-cb02-1303-2d81-a057279aec2f/11_7_21_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/14ea7183-a8c5-2a8a-6e3c-b961eaa61de7/2021_11_7_All_Saints_Day.pdf> .
*Prayer Requests…*
· For Scott Smith and his family, who mourns the death of his father, Dean, who fell asleep in Christ on Wednesday.
· For Dave Ketteman and family as they mourn the death of his father, Russell, who fell asleep in Christ early Thursday morning.
· For Karl Shultz Jr., Minda’s son, who successfully underwent a lengthy and complicated heart surgery on Wednesday.
· For Jim Delzer, whose test results came back very good.
· For Dick Lewallen, who is recovering (slowly) from COVID.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Today: *
o *4-5pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Trinity
o *7pm *Concordia Academy Benefit Recital, Holy Cross Lutheran (600 N Greenwich)**
· *Sunday (11/7): **Feast of All Saints (observed) & Joint-Parish Sunday & Daylight Savings*
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *12:15pm *Meal, Grace
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
· *Monday*: *Commemoration of Johannes von Staupitz*
o *6:30pm* New Member Catechesis, Trinity
· *Tuesday: **Commemoration of Martin Chemnitz*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4:30pm *Reformation Festival Planning Mtg., Trinity
o *6:30pm *KS District Meet & Greet Event, Holy Cross
o *7pm *Trinity Council Mtg., Trinity
· *Wednesday: **Commemoration of Martin Luther (birth)*
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *4:15pm *Hand Bell Choir, Trinity
o *5:15pm *Youth Catechesis, Trinity
o *7pm *Evening Prayer, Trinity
· *Thursday: **Commemoration of St. Martin of Tours*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *7:30pm *Hall of Men, the Ladder
· *Friday: *
o *No Private Confession & Absolution*
o *4pm *Youth Catechesis Retreat, leave from Trinity
· *Sunday (11/14): **The 26th Sunday after Trinity*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Trinity
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
o *3:30pm *Special Voters’ Mtg., Grace
*Looking Ahead…*
· *November 12-13 – *Youth Catechesis Retreat in Herington!
· *November 14 –* Special Grace Voters’ Mtg. at 3:30pm. Please plan to attend!
· *November 21 –* Regular Voters’ Mtg. for each congregation: Grace, 9:30am; Trinity, 12:30pm. No Bible Study this day.
· *December 4, 2-4pm* – Please join the ladies of Grace & Trinity for Advent-By-Candlelight at Trinity. Sign-up in the narthex to attend or to be a Hostess. Questions? Contact Vicki Lessman at 316-641-9392 or vlessman@cox.net.
*Other Things*
– *Tonight (Nov 5**)* – *Concordia Academy Benefit Recital*, *7pm at Holy Cross*. Board member Ann Harms will be performing a recital of works for violin, voice, piano, and bowed psaltery at Holy Cross Lutheran (600 N Greenwich) with a reception following. All are invited! A free will offering will support Concordia Academy’s capital campaign, and all donations will be matched by our grant donors. See more at www.concordiaacademywichita.org <ec2-54-202-43-228.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com/x/d?c=16122047&l=0cd59574-9abf-44c4-ab09-2a222aa54e63&r=056e0018-0237-4ed1-99c4-a3bc4441e50c> .
· *The Lutherans in Spain have a new Bishop! *– About a month ago, Rev. José Luis de Miguel was consecrated as Bishop, making him the first native Spaniard to serve the office. You can read more here <ilc-online.org/2021/11/02/lutherans-in-spain-welcome-new-bishop/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ilc-news+%28International+Lutheran+Council%29> .
· *Our Missionary Newsletter <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/a03b4f76-cb4f-a578-fd9c-3cf033819fdb/NewsletterSeptember21October21F.pdf>* from the Conrads is here. Looks like they’re in the States for a bit. Please keep this family and the Lutheran Synod of Mexico in your prayers.
· *My Newman University Lectures* on the Old Testament can be found here <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/d993f0d2-c99f-96e1-e42a-33a17991fb77/Zoom_Recordings.03.docx>. Enjoy!
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
-Pastor